SEGA of America recently announced the latest game from the world’s fastest hedgehog – Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I. Available exclusively via download, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I (previously known as Project Needlemouse) will bring back the addictive side scrolling action that Sonic fans love in an all-new 2D adventure.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I, the first Sonic game developed exclusively for download, brings back the adventure that Sonic fans have been waiting 16 years for.  It will offer the classic Sonic moves that fans love including Spin Dash and Rolling Attack and will also feature Homing Attack, all in beautiful CG rendered environments. Packed with special stages, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I will take players through a variety of different Zones, inspired by the Genesis-era style. Longtime fans will not be disappointed as they face some intense boss battles against everyone’s favorite villain – the always devious and evil – Dr.Eggman.

“Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I features the classic Sonic gameplay style that the community has been asking for since Sonic and Knuckles,” said Sean Ratcliffe, Vice President of Marketing, SEGA of America,Inc. “Thanks to emerging technologies, we are able to create all-new stunning Sonic worlds combined with Genesis-era Sonic gameplay and make it downloadable across multiple platforms.”

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I will be available in Summer 2010 on the Xbox Live Arcade.